Memorial Weekend 2012

Camping 101 with the Blues:

1.  Borrow everything from ward members :)

We need to start collecting camping gear now that we can all go more.  

2.  Pack more crap than you'll ever need!  

You never know when you are going to need an "extra" watermelon and such and so on.

3.  Bring a space heater to potentially burn your "Occupy Boise" tent down.

Now, this did not actually happen.  Thankfully.  It was a HUGE lifesaver as Burke and Taylor couldn't figure out how to sleep IN their sleeping bags! 

4.  Go with friends that have a trailer.

They will hopefully take pity on your trembling, frozen 2 year old and let him come in and watch a movie.  

5.  Head into town.

Here you will amuse the locals by dawning antique Nellie Olson hats in musty shops.  

6.  Pepsi.

Bring enough to have one at all times.  You'll need a stiff drink as the neighbor children make BON FIRES.  

7.  Bring clippers.

You know.  So when your baby gets too close to the fire and scorches his hair you can rid the smell from your tent.  Trust me....it stinks.  

8.  Have your twins dress the same. (If you have them...)

This makes for fun camp games as the other campers try to figure out who is who.

9.  Head count.

Don't forget that you came up with X amount of children.  At one point I forgot we even brought Graden.  

AND....

10.  Have enough fun that you'll want to go next year.

But not enough that you do it too soon.  

{New Beginnings 2012}

The purpose of New Beginnings is to welcome the girls that will be turning 12 that year into YW's.  The Beehive, Mia Maid, and Laurel class symbols are recognized.  

Also the theme for the new year is introduced.  D&C 115:5.  

"Verily I say unto you all: Arise and Shine Forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;"

So we ran with the Arise and Shine Forth!  We welcomed our ONLY beehive coming in 2012.....Emily H!  Welcome sweet Emily!  Cannot wait wait to have ya! 

We had a wonderful spread of breakfast goodies along with an amazing skit about rising and shining everyday! 

{My job was the sun....you likey???}

{ I love this picture of Ursula and Bronwyn!  She is our new Laurel President!  This was her first activity conducting!  She did an amazing job!  And looked like such a beautiful 16 year old!}

{A couple of beehives.  As though you could not tell!}

{Emily H. and her mama!  So proud}

{Dina's spread!!}

{Carli acting "natural"}

{Claire also "acting natural"} {?????????}

{This really is Bailey acting natural}

{Our fearless stake leaders}

December in Parts

December has been so busy!  I love it.  But also wish I had a clone that I could split my responsibilities with.  

I'll post more after Christmas, but here are some pre-christmas shenanigans that I got into!!!

Our Annual Relief Society White Elephant gift exchange!  This was the first, and most hilarious gift of the night.  

Cherie was thrilled to get a Santa head!  

See.....

Graden participated in his preschool Nativity Program.  It's always amazing!  He was Joseph.  This was his list for Santa.  

Mary~Joseph~Baby Jesus

Do to the boy girl ratio, we had wise girls instead of wise men.  I love their costumes!  Very flashy ladies! 

On the same day I had the girls party at school to do.  I made a bazillion sugar cookies for them to decorate.  They had an art project and ate a huge feast of snacks too.  It was fun! 

The first day of vacation the girls were invited to a Gingerbread making party.  They had a terrible time......can't you tell?????  

Not sure what happened in Taylor's chimney, she says Santa exploded.  Ew. 

Nattie's says BSU on the door!  Kinda like our house!

I've enjoyed this time of year.  I don't always.  I know that it's because I started Christmas shopping in August.  We are on a tight budget, so spreading it out like that took a huge weight off my shoulders.  

We even added our own little family gift exchange into the mix this year.  It was tough all going out with each other, but we made it happen!  

Breaking.....

DAWN YA'LL!  

1.  I had no intention of going to the mid night showing.  It was pure peer pressure from one Tamra Lords.  The queen of Twilighters.  And all the shenanigans that follow.  

2.  I was being a brat cause I was not going with Candace.  WOMP.  So kill me.  

3.  As it turns out we were broke when the movie came out.  Go figure.  

4.  I go to buy a ticket with some spare change I scrounged together.  THEY ARE SOLD OUT.  Another go figure.  

5.  Text my friend Jared who is the manager of the Edward's in Nampa.  He hooked me up.  Saweet.  

So the night begins~

I had stake auxiliary training that night for YW's.  It was delightful.  But I begin to feel a scratch in my throat!  WOMP!  

I braved it anyway's and picked up my friend Julie, her daughter Maddie, another friend JaeCee and her cousin Nikki.  We ventured out to the theater.  

WHAT???  A line around the block????  Kill me.  :)  All was well.  Tamra was already there causing a ruckus, so we jumped in line with her!  It went really fast!  

We got in the theater and it was not even packed!  Saweet!  We chatted, laughed, checked out Pinterest, made fun of these 12-14 year old girls that were doing cheers on the floor.  All was good.  I was decked out in red, black and white!  And these killer earrings from my friend Cindy!!!  

This stunning picture I took and text to Cindy and Cherie at another theater.  I will be nice and not post the one they sent to me.  For it equals this one in beauty.....wink!!!  

Ok.  Here is the truth.  I have only read each Twilight book once.  Years ago at that.  So I knew the premise of Breaking Dawn, but had forgot a lot of the details.  I thought the honeymoon scene was done tastefully.  Although if I had a teenage daughter sitting by me, I would have rather died.  :)  

The most disturbing parts for me was when Bella became so ill with the baby.  I was totally NOT prepared for the graphic depiction of her.  I was so sad!  And kinda barfy!  Ugh!  

It was bad news when I woke up on Friday after 6 hours of sleep.  I was sicker than a dog!  TERRIBLE!  My sister Megan came and got my kids so I could nap.  I was down for the count till Sunday.  I was awake for 2 hours, slept for 2 hours.  I kept telling Jason I felt hollow.  Ugh.  Thankfully he was home and able to be Mr. Mom.  He did great!  

So this is the start of our Thanksgiving vacation!  

He is all business when we play.  Burke?  Not so much!  

Nanny McPhee VS Natalie

And the winner is??????????

Natalie!!!!!!!!!!

We have been battling Nat's "Nanny McPhee" teeth for weeks now.  I'm not a yank them out kinda mom.  I've had friends offer....but I felt too bad for Nat.  

But durning the shenanigans of Saturday morning chores Burke bumped her in the mouth with his elbow really hard.  The craziest one fell right out.  But it left on lone catty whom-pus tooth.  SO I YANKED IT!  Then screamed at the top of my lungs!!  And gagged a little!  

Now the battle has begun.  Taylor thinks it's totally "not fair" that she lost both her teeth on Trunk or Treat day.  Nat tried to make it better by saying she might lose both of hers on Christmas.  One can hope right??  

Alphabet soup

Nattie has a tooth that is hanging on for dear life.  It's seriously grossing me out.  

Jason and I decided that it is about time that Graden start wearing a white shirt and tie to church.  The black polo with skulls is cool and all but.......  ;)

When you have had a tough day at church fulfilling all your duties, you need some R&R.  

Cause staying in the nursery for the ENTIRE 2 hours and playing with your friends is REALLY hard work!  I guess there is a first time for everything!  

I've got my hands full...

Natalie and Taylor were the EASIEST babies and toddlers.  They were content and happy and most importantly, they entertained each other.  Twins are the best! 

Graden was awesome too.  Just quiet.  He did his own thing, seldom got into mischief.  

Well, could I be lucky enough to have all my kids be that way?

This post will answer that question:

This is on top of me having to actually put our bar stools on the bar cause he pulls a HEAVY chair over and climbs up them.  It was a real shocker when Jason and I heard him turn the garbage disposal on.  

He is talking up a storm.  

His new favorite things are goger-gygles.  (motorcycles, said with and angry face)

He is smarter than smart.  

I love this freak.